I'm thinking of replacing the front windshield on my 1999 Acura TL. It has thousands of tiny "micro-chips" that become apparent when driving towards the sun early in the morning. These look like specks of dust. There are also a couple of larger rock impacts.

Is there anything peculiar about the TL's windshield that I should know before having it replaced? Has anyone here had this done? For those that have had this done, were you happy with the result?

Does the original Acura windshield have any tint built-in?

Bob

 

I just had mine replaced, my car was at the dealership because of the tranny already. They charged 400 and it pretty much looked the same as the old one and it did have a band of a bit of tint along the top. I had read in another thread that you usually want to get it done at the dealership with the factory glass but I am not sure if you really really have to.

 

Thanks for relating your experience. What prompted the replacement of your windshield?

I've had some excellent work done by a local auto glass shop on another car so I'll probably go with them again. But I might just consider my local Acura dealer.

Bob

 

When you have your windshield replaced, have them replace the Rear View Mirror. If you are wondering why, do a search. Mine exploded with no warning about two weeks ago and leaked a wax like fluid all over my center console. I am still waiting for replacement parts. Both the manufacture of the mirror and Acura are both replacing the mirror free of charge. That's my

 

Ack! It didn't even occur to me that I might need to replace the rearview mirror. I'll do a search on that topic! (I just bought my 1999 Acura TL and I'm hadn't read any of the exploding rear view mirror threads yet.)

Bob

 

Well the reason I had to get it replaced is really my fault partly. While driving back from california all of the sudden my rear view mirror just fell and was sitting there slack just hanging by the wire. I saw where it attatched and tried to put it back and I must have pushed too hard and the windshield cracked right where the rear view mirror mounts to it. Right after that my tranny broke . It was just really bad luck all of the sudden but anyway the windshield had a ton of little pits and dings. I had to pay a total of 670 for windshield and mirror replacement. They did a decent enough job but alot of people told me I could have gotten a much better deal shopping arround but I guess I needed the mirror too.

 

ive had 3 of them now. mostly due to pitting like yours and large stone chips. There is no reason to pay to have your mirror replaced if yours isnt bad. Its not something you need to look into. there really shouldnt be any thing to look for. Find a reputable glass place and have them do it.

 

most insurances cover this, so all it will consitute is a claim, that is if u dont wanna pay it...and claims dont raise your insurance.

 

Thanks for all the helpful advice.

My local auto glass outfit says that a replacement windshield, made by the same OEM manufacturer, would run about $275 installed. This includes about $75 for the Acura molding. He said that you can sometimes reuse these but he didn't recommend it.

He also said that all of the windows have some sort of "third sunshade" screening in place for those Acura TL models with the OnStar system. So even if you don't have OnStar you get a windshield with this additional shading. My 1999 TL doesn't have OnStar and I asked if this shading would look odd and he said it wouldn't. He said that he actually thought it looks better that the "non-OnStar" windshield.

Anyway, the cost seems pretty reasonable and I'll probably have it done within the next week.

Bob

 

Good to hear man!

 

i just got mine replaced with insurance because of a big rock crack from the highway. It was not an OEM window, but it looks exactly the same....like you my original one started to bug me with all the small pits from the years. now it looks so much better.

 

Thanks for the first hand report!

That's great that you're happy with the replacement.

I'll post an update here after I have mine replaced.

Bob

 

sounds like a great price..where are you located? can I get name/number of that place? Thx.